I know I should know this after 12 years of pmr but is acid reflux caused by the pmr or the prednisone. It seems to be more bothersome these days. I might add I have gained a lot of weight and know this is a big part of the reason.
The prednisone. Do you eat something when you take the pred? That can help a lot. And if that doesn't help enough then try taking a proton pump inhibitor every day. They have to be taken everyday in order to work.
I can't be sure beause I had reflux for years before I got PMR with GCA.
I had acid reflux years before PMR!
You definitely need to take pred with food. I have taken 20 mg of omeprazole a day for the last 10 years or so.
I take the same and for years! I have had no problems, with the Omeprazole or reflux.
Mostly pred probably. You have to suspect that something that didn't happen pre-pred and does post-pred is likely to be pred. HOWEVER - if you haven't had it before while taking pred and it is a new symptom or getting worse you MUST get it investigated by your doctor and don't be fobbed off. Having PMR doesn't excuse you from having other problems.
Some doctors hand out PPIs (omeprazole) together with pred. They may have unpleasant side effects and instead you can use ranitidine (sold as Zantac) which will do the same job with different side effects.
I did too but if you read the side effects of prednisone it's clearly stated that it can cause stomach upset. And because I had acid reflux many years prior to taking prednisone I was very concerned about it causing me a lot of problems. And I was already taking a drug called Nexium which in the US is the strongest stomach medicine of the OTC. But I have found as long as I continue to take my Nexium and eat something when I take my prednisone I have no stomach issues whatsoever.
The Pred. However, once it gets set up, you can have problems with it after the Pred.